Presentation Tips
- Presentation should be no longer than 2 hours.
- If all materials are not covered in two hours, they may be handled through training sessions.
- Presentation should be broken up by using instruction films, power point presentations, visual aids, guided tours of site, and multiple presenters to maintain interest of attendees.
- Networking breaks, Nutrition breaks and Ice Breakers can be very useful to give a positive feeling of teamwork and acceptance to the organization.
- Visit should be made to session by site Management or Board Members to convey interest and commitment of the whole organization to the Volunteer positions.
- If the session is for an individual or a group smaller than five it is acceptable to drop in on the Manager's or Board Member's office.
- Presentation should start with an overview of the organization, its mission, its goals, programs offered, the Volunteer program, how the program serves the needs of the target audience, each position and how they unite to make the program work.
- A site organization chart would be beneficial.
- Position descriptions should be included.
- Introduce the tools and resources the Volunteers will be working with.
- Reinforce the benefits of these Volunteer positions.
- Outline the events the Volunteer may attend.
- Introduce the organizations your site has developed partnerships with (HRDC, local universities, community groups, corporate sponsors, etc.).
- Time and a tone of openness for questions should be maintained with a careful eye to effective time usage. Use inclusive group input where possible. Do not single anyone out as it makes some people quite uncomfortable. Ask for Volunteered input only.
- Prepare the presentation, do not ad lib. This is the individual's introduction to the workings of your organization. Don't let them think you are disorganized or ineffective.
- Stick to time lines- It conveys organization, professionalism and respect for the time of the Volunteers.
- Touch on all policies and procedures.
- The time to hand out the manuals is when you are ready to go through the policies and procedures.
- This is the opportunity to have the Volunteer sign off on their position description, commitment agreement, training commitment and confidentiality agreement.
- Keep it light. Make sure your Volunteers know that they made the right choice and are going to enjoy working here.
- Stress reasons for Confidentiality and policies surrounding Risk Management. Likely reasons are Safety of Employees, Volunteers, and the organization from Liability issues. Use examples.
- End on a positive note. Welcoming each Volunteer by name and with a handshake or by presenting them with a name tag or some token of acceptance where possible will go a long way to creating a positive image of the organization.
The next document in this section contains a sample Orientation Session Outline developed by the CNL-C@P group of Newfoundland.
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